Shiro's Sanctum

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and works; all other characters and worlds belong to their respective owners. I'm just playing with them.

Betad by Mike God of Lore, Malcolm Tent, Priapus, Old man of the mountain

The Guild of Gamers, The Dragon

Chapter 03: The Justice League

– Zatanna Zatara (Zatanna) –

As she looked up at the majestic beast that was Io (though calling him a beast felt insulting even in her mind) she blinked as she realised something.

"Erm, question," Zatanna said, getting their attention. "How are we supposed to take him with us? The Watchtower might be big, but it's not exactly designed for someone as large as Io."

Wonder Woman paused, looking up at the dragon that seemed mildly amused by this.

"True, he could fit in many of the rooms, but moving around would be very difficult for him. Our doors aren't quite meant for someone that large," Diana agreed, frowning slightly. It was slightly embarrassing that nobody had thought of that yet. It would be the same if he came to join the Team with the rest of the younger heroes. Their base was not meant for someone the size of a large elephant.

Trust her; she'd seen Beast Boy try.

"An easily-solved issue, though I do this with great protest," Io said, getting their attention as he started to shrink. Her eyes widened as he rapidly shrunk down to a much smaller and more manageable size. Around the size of a large dog, Io looked up at them with some irritation in his eyes. "This world is ill-suited for one of my stature. Fortunately, I can take on a smaller form, though this weakens my power, so do not expect me to stay in my younger form for long."

She gasped in realisation. The temporal magic that Tala had used, he could harness it. Tala had used it to forcibly age him, but he'd been able to return to a younger age. She could feel his magical aura weaken, his might fading somewhat even if he was still a true monster by magical standards. 

…he was also extremely cute, sitting on his hind legs and staring up at them with an imperious look, his intense golden eyes seemingly out of place on the far less intimidating form. She was certain he could return to his full power in an instant; perhaps he could even temporarily take on the ancient form he'd used to wreck Themyscira if he was pushed; his new form didn't make him less dangerous even if it made him more vulnerable. A show of trust, like them letting him into their minds?

"That will certainly help, can you hold this form for long?" Diana asked, making him scoff.

"Of course, I despise being this vulnerable, but it is no effort to remain in my child form," Io snorted. "Though, as I said, I will not remain in this form indefinitely."

"We'll think of something; if you're ready, we can return to the Watchtower now. It's the home of the Justice League," Diana explained, making him nod easily. 

"My hoard is secure; I have nothing else to do here. Those who wronged me will pay. Until our mutual enemies have been crushed; we have an alliance," Io declared, which made him look even cuter as his wings flapped once. If he were in his full size, declarations of vengeance would be far more intimidating, but he just looked adorable right now.

…she could see another issue coming up. Io wanted blood; that much was clear already. The League tried to avoid killing, but somehow she didn't think Io was going to take 'we'll lock them up where they'll escape again in a few years' as an answer. 

Not to mention that the Amazons already had Aresia; would he accept Queen Hippolyta's judgement when he clearly wished to dole out his own?

– Io –

My Sapphire Draconic Instincts convinced me to temporarily show weakness to my new allies. Sapphire Dragons are far more tactical than most and less bound by pride. My Blue Dragon side despises being so weak, but I can handle it for a short while. 

The important thing is to gather information and allies against those who crossed me, and the promise of vengeance is enough to satiate my Blue instincts. One thing both sides agree on, this 'Legion of Doom' must fall. They will feel my fangs and claws upon their bodies and be torn apart with my sonic and lightning breath. Even the kindest of the dragons would demand nothing less for those who sought to enslave me.

Watching with interest as Diana calls for Watchtower, my own eyes widen as we're teleported away from the desert and into the futuristic base. My concerns are quickly proven valid because how can I hunt in a world I'm so unprepared for? What counter do I have to people just teleporting away like this?

Unless I adapt to this new world I have been dumped into, my quest for vengeance will go unsatiated. It is in this that my new allies will prove useful. Once the Legion has been torn apart, literally and figuratively, we shall see. 

Blue Dragons are manipulative; Sapphire Dragons are tactical. Both see the value in biding my time with the Justice League, allowing me to grow stronger with the protection of these 'heroes. Of course, my Blue side wants to use this to rob anything of value from the heroes, then run off to a new lair while laughing at the naivety of these fools.

But then this is the same species that thinks it's peak humour to trick dehydrated and lost travellers into drinking sand by making it look like a pristine oasis. Basically, we're dickheads. 

"How do you intend to start hunting these villains?" I ask, getting Diana's attention.

"My people have dealt with Circe before. She's very good at hiding, but her narcissism will eventually force her to come out of hiding. Aresia, we have already been captured; she fell during the battle and was taken prisoner by my people to face my mother's judgment. Tala is the one I suspect will be the hardest to find. We know very little about her, and she has apparently abandoned the Legion over this," Diana explained, making me pause.

I remember little of Tala, aside from the fact that she was responsible for both my capture and the experimentation. The other two took me from her without her knowledge, and she has broken off from the Legion because of it, then?

There are pros and cons to this; if she has gone solo, then she'll be far harder to find. It would be easy enough for a mage of her talent to hide away from the world, but it also means she has no more allies to protect her. She'll come for her project, I'm sure of it.

Circe, I am the most hesitant to hunt. Even my ego isn't eager to challenge divinity. Using my points to gain the powers and wisdom of a Sapphire Dragon was a good call because I suspect I wouldn't be so cautious with just my Blue instincts guiding me. 

"You have one of my slavers captive?" I ask, focusing on what matters, but Diana gives me a look.

"Aresia is one of my Amazon sisters, even if she went rogue. I understand your rage. I have had my own freedom taken away from me before and have felt the same hunger for justice, but Aresia's actions led to the deaths of countless of our people. She will face my mother's judgement; Queen Hippolyta will be the one to decide her fate," Diana warns, and briefly, my Blue instincts flare up before I suppress them.

"Your mother, the blonde woman whom Aresia tried to challenge? I remember her," I admit, making Diana nod. "She was brave in the face of my might," I compliment.

I wrecked Wonder Woman's island and killed hundreds of her sisters, but she does not hold my actions against me. She is cautious of my might, as she should be, but she knows where the true blame should be aimed. 

"What punishment does Aresia face? What does Amazonian justice look like?" I ask, making Diana pause.

"Mother has not yet decided. The League does not believe in the death sentence, but the rules of Man's world do not apply to this. Aresia may very well be executed for her crimes or locked away in Tartarus for the rest of her days," Diana explains, making me nod. From what little I saw of her, Hippolyta seemed like a good leader. 

My mind brushes against Diana's again, and her eyebrow raises before she allows me entry. Seeking this' Tartarus', I nod to myself again. It is adequate, even if allowing me to eat the coward would be better. Aresia made such bold claims, but even when backed by the God of War's army and me she still failed to defeat Hippolyta, pathetic.

"Your people were the most wounded party; I shall leave this Aresia to you. If she escapes your justice, she will face mine," I warn, making Diana nod gratefully. There's no doubt in what form my justice would take, the fury in my tone making things clear. "The others are mine. Tala and Circe are the ones who violated my mind, and they will answer to me for their crimes."

Aresia may have directed me, but Tala captured and experimented on me, and Circe took my mind from me. They are my main prey; Aresia is just a weakling throwing a tantrum. If she escapes the Amazons, she'll wish she had just bared her neck to Hippolyta's blade. None of them will die easily. I care not for the Justice League's distaste for executions; their lives were mine the moment they enslaved me.

"Thank you," Diana says, not commenting on the second part. "Zatanna, Miss Martian, why don't you show our guest around? The Watchtower can be rather confusing to newcomers."

Following the witch and the green-skinned telepath, I frown slightly. Diana seemed like she was trying to get rid of me, so I wonder what she is going to do?

– Princess Diana (Wonder Woman) —

"I'll admit, I didn't think you'd convince him to come with you," Batman said in a rare showing of him admitting to being wrong. "But what exactly do you plan to do with a large, mind-reading dragon? He can't remain on the Watchtower. You said it yourself. He won't remain in this child form for long; that's not even mentioning the fact that he's not likely to accept a jail sentence for Tala or Circe."

"He rightfully wants vengeance for his enslavement, and need I remind you of the argument we have already had over Aresia?" Diana reminded him, making his scowl grow deeper. The League weren't thrilled with the idea of Aresia potentially facing the death sentence for her actions, but they had no say in Amazonian politics. Circe's actions had been a direct attack on her people, a petty revenge against her mother, Circe would also face Amazonian justice. She was a warrior at heart; she didn't share Batman's reticence to resort to lethal measures. "Though keeping him where we can keep an eye on him is wise if what Zatara has said about his instincts is correct."

"Indeed, had he not been taken away from his world, he could have grown with others of his kind and learnt to control them. A raging young dragon is no real threat to an adult dragon after all, but he'd certainly be a threat to us mortals," Zatara said with a laugh, rubbing his chin. "Still, sapphires growing out of his body? That's new, and highly curious. It's not a normal trait for his kind, and his new abilities match that of a Sapphire dragon."

"Could he be a half-breed?" Diana asked, making Zatara shake his head.

"No, there's more to it than this. I'd need to do more research, but I do not believe that dragons can be multiple types at once. I suspect Tala's experimentation is to blame. This has both benefits and potential issues. If I recall correctly, Sapphire dragons are known for being highly intelligent, militaristic and often warlike creatures. I suspect his newfound willingness to work with us comes from that tactical mindset," Zatara explained, pausing in thought. "That said, if he could develop other 'colours' at random, there are some that could be highly dangerous. Black and Red stand out as two colours that would be very dangerous to deal with."

"At least any changes should be easy to notice; we just have to watch for him changing colours," Superman said optimistically. "Which doesn't answer the main question. What do we do with him? The Team were meant to be able to act under the radar, and Io attracts a lot of attention, but I doubt he wants to remain cooped up on the Watchtower, either. We don't know where Tala or Circe have gone, especially if the rumours of Tala going rogue are true, and I don't think Io will just sit around and wait for them to return."

"I may take him to Themyscira; mother has expressed an interest in meeting him. He is different enough not to be counted as a man," Diana explained, making Clark raise an eyebrow.

"Then would I not be counted as a man? Or Martian Manhunter?" Clark asked, making her laugh slightly.

"No offence, Superman, but it's literally in your name. J'onn might be closer to being allowed to visit, but he still looks like a man, just green. You aren't wrong, though; Io should be banned from the island, which makes my mother's request to take him there more strange," Diana admitted, frowning slightly.

"Is she planning on trying to punish him for his part in the attack?" Batman asked, making her shake her head.

"No, Io is not to blame for his actions, and she knows this," Diana said confidently. She had her suspicions about what had caused her mother's request, but that didn't help clear things up. Only one group was above her mother after all, and why would the Gods want Io on Themyscira? "I will speak to her first, but since Io is a teen in draconic terms I do believe it will be best to put him with the other young heroes for now. They're investigating the Legion's actions anyway. Being a part of the hunt for his captors may convince him that working with us is for the best."

It would be better than just trying to get a very powerful and impatient being to sit on his backside and wait for Circe or Tala to show up. If they showed that the League was looking for those who had wronged him, he was less likely to leave to find them himself.

Even if she didn't blame him for the attack on her home, she suspected that it would be better for everyone if they had an eye on the large, powerful and rather arrogant dragon.

– Zatanna Zatara (Zatanna) –

Watching him scratch at himself as he sat on the bed of the guest room, she very much tried not to laugh at how doglike he was acting, failing as he turned to her balefully.

"Sorry," Zatanna said quickly, making him huff.

"I have sand stuck between my scales. Normally, I'd just go and take a dip in the ocean, but that's not really an option right now, and my control of my telekinesis isn't that fine yet. Both it and my telepathy are new developments," Io admitted, shaking slightly as he tried to dislodge the sand that was itching him. "It wasn't noticeable when I was at my true size, but the smaller I am, the more irritating small things like this become.

Megan nodded, giving him a smile.

"It took me ages to master the finer control of my own telekinesis; maybe I can help you train your telepathy and telekinesis? It'll be nice to have another person with similar powers around; I can shapeshift and use telepathy and telekinesis as well," Megan explained, getting Io's attention. "Though I can't breathe lightning, that's a bit out of my reach."

"I would… appreciate the assistance," Io admitted, sounding like he was trying not to be insulted at the idea that he needed help. Megan beamed at him, and Zatanna frowned slightly as she realised they were speaking telepathically.

"How did you get your telepathy and telekinesis? My father knows a little about your kind but I thought you were a Blue dragon," Zatanna asked, making him look up at her smugly.

"I was, and now I'm both a Blue and Sapphire Dragon, gaining the psionics of the Sapphire dragons," Io boasted, the gems on his back briefly glowing with an azure light. It made him look majestic despite his size, but then he frowned and went back to trying to dislodge the sand. Her eyes widened at his boasts, was there a limit, or would he eventually encompass every colour? The powers of every dragon in a single being sounded both terrifying and magnificent.

She could see his point; it was hard to notice grains of sand when you're the size of a bus, but now that he was smaller, it was probably very irritating.

"Do you require a bath, Io?" Megan asked, making him blink and look towards the en suite.

"...I may have underestimated how irritating sand could truly be. It's coarse, rough, and irritating, and it gets everywhere," Io complained. "Either I get it out of my scales, or I go back to my full size. I will not stand for this irritation."

For some reason, she didn't want to have to explain to Batman that they had a full-sized dragon wandering around because he was annoyed by some sand, and a spark of genius struck her as she looked at him. She'd wanted to touch his scales since she first saw him, and an opportunity had presented itself.

Plus, she was somewhat annoyed at how fast Megan seemed to be befriending Io; she could be helpful, too.

– Princess Diana (Wonder Woman) –

Arriving at the room they'd chosen for Io; she let herself in after a moment of nobody answering. Immediately, she paused in confusion as she spotted something on the floor.

Zatanna's top hat sitting right next to the rest of her clothes. Following the sounds with a confused frown, she opened the door to the bathroom and stopped, her eyebrow raising at the sight before her.

"Hi!" Megan said cheerfully, wearing only a white and red bikini as she knelt down next to Io, who was covered in bubbles. 

Zatanna blushed slightly, also having changed into a small black bikini as she stroked Io's scales tenderly.

"There was sand in my scales," Io helpfully added, sitting down as he let the two barely dressed teenage girls wash him. Well, she supposed it wasn't like he found the human form attractive, was it?

"Have you decided what to do with me," Io asked, his tone almost mocking and certainly somewhat menacing (an effect that was slightly ruined by the bubbles on his head). "Did the one dressed as a bat scowl again?"

She knew he'd seen their meeting about him, but it was still somewhat unnerving. She was just glad that his telepathy was not subtle; it gave her confidence that he hadn't seen more than she thought. She didn't admit that, yes, Batman had indeed scowled again.

"We have come to a decision, yes," Diana admitted, making him look up at her in curiosity. "If you are willing, we think you'd be best suited joining Zatanna and Miss Martian on the team we made for younger heroes. They could do with a heavy hitter, and it will give you an opportunity to spend time with other younger heroes."

She was mostly flattering him; the Team already had some very heavy hitters like Raven, Wonder Girl and Supergirl, but she knew Io had an ego like any male. Stroking his ego was easy enough.

"Ooh, nice. You'll like the others; they're really nice," Miss Martian said, making Io pause. Zatanna seemed happy as well, still stroking Io's gleaming scales.

"And this Legion? When do we hunt them down?" Io asked, making her smile.

"The team you're joining are already looking into the Legion's actions, as is the League ourselves. Once we find any of their hideouts, we shall strike," Diana promised, making Io relax. She didn't mention the way he was almost purring at the ministrations from the two heroines. She also tried not to think about the way they almost looked like slave girls cleaning their master. "We might not be able to find Circe or Tala directly, but we can strike at their allies and flush them out of hiding. Someone will know where they are hiding."

"Then we have an accord; until this Legion has been destroyed and ground into the dirt beneath me, we are allies, and I will assist this team," Io declared, wings flapping briefly, which sent bubbles flying everywhere. "Congratulations, heroes, for the greatest of all dragons is on your side."

Again, he'd look more majestic if his leg wasn't beating against the floor from how Megan scratched his ear. 

– M'gann M'orzz (Megan Morse/Miss Martian) –

Leaving Io to nap, she smiled as she thought about her newest team member. She'd quickly learnt that people on this planet did not like telepathy, but it was as natural as breathing to her. 

It was a good feeling to have someone around whom she could speak in the most natural way, and their powers were oddly similar in many ways. 

It didn't escape her notice that Zatanna was getting jealous when she and Io spoke telepathically, and she hadn't missed Zatanna's apparent attraction to Io. She didn't judge; it wasn't like she had any romantic options that weren't going to be interspecies. Sure, Io was more bestial than most aliens, but there were plenty of species around that were equally different. It was his mind that really mattered, and he was certainly very intelligent, even if he was a little arrogant. She didn't really blame him, she'd seen inside his mind. An intelligent mind warring with ancient instincts. 

His mind was amazing, incredibly complex, and impressive. She wondered how safe it was to have two different sets of ancestral instincts warring in his mind, Blue and Sapphire. When their minds intertwined, she could see them both when their minds intertwined.

If he kept taking more colours, would 'Io' be lost in the sea of instincts? She hoped not; he may be rather conceited but she was fairly convinced that there was a good person under his ego. She'd felt his guilt ever-so-briefly when the attack on Themyscira was brought up, intense but quickly suppressed. His rage at his enslavement was, if anything, understated. She didn't pity those who had turned him into a weapon because his fury was immense. 

'This 'team', are they strong?'

She blinked and missed a step, feeling his mind touching hers as she walked away.

'They are, though some of the members fall on the weaker side.'

It was perhaps unfair, but she wouldn't lie to him. Robin and Artemis especially were normal humans, very well trained but she could see how they would not exactly impress Io. 

'If they hold us back, they will be left behind. I will not tolerate weakness in the pursuit of my enemies.'

Io's rage was clear, even from this distance. He'd made the Legion his sworn enemies for their actions. She hoped he'd calm down when they started acting against the Legion because it was an intense feeling. It was almost infectious, her own fury responding to his memories of helplessness as Circe and Tala toyed with his mind.

She didn't think he meant to send the memories along with his words, but he was inexperienced, and his telepathy was powerful. Able to send entire memories and emotions along with his words. It would be fun to try and teach him how to use it.

Either way, she knew that adding Io to their team would change things. For better or for worse, she didn't know just yet, but she looked forward to seeing how things would go all the same. 

– Amanda Waller –

She had access to a lot of resources, but that didn't mean infinite. Some of their plans took a considerable amount of resources, and it made losing them all the more annoying.

Tala was supposed to make them a weapon, something that could counter the League if they went rogue. It had worked, as well, given how badly her pet had destroyed the Amazonians' home. But now that weapon was rogue, Tala was missing, and to make things worse, Tala had stolen another powerful asset in the process as well, on top of killing one of their lead scientists. 

Io, as he'd named himself, was Cadmus property. She intended to reclaim him. Of course, attacking a large, angry reptile that could breathe entire storms and had managed to badly hurt Supergirl was basically suicide.

Luckily, she had just the squad for the mission.

— Bonus Scene — Tala 

The Legion and their Light backers had cost her dearly. If the Light hadn't been distracting her, the fools wouldn't have been able to run off with her beloved. If the Legion weren't filled with such short-sighted fools, they wouldn't have taken Io before he was ready.

Her lips twitched at her beloved's chosen name, all too fitting for the ultimate dragon. He had the potential to become the strongest dragon in the Multiverse, so it was fitting that he'd chosen to name himself after the God of Dragons.

He would hunt her; she knew this. His nature would demand justice; she did not blame him. He was taken from her before he could truly understand what she was doing for his benefit. He didn't understand that everything she did, she did for him. Aresia and Circe had ruined things, but she was not one to give up easily.

With the Light and Legion to blame, she'd decided to return the favour. They'd cost her Io, so she'd return the favour and cost them one of their tools. She'd need the protection anyway, as Io had started to grow and to hunt. Until she could convince him of her sincerity, she would be his prey. If he still wished for her death once she enlightened him, she would bare her neck and allow him to devour her. 

Already, he'd started to grow; the Light's infiltration of the League's systems showed that. The sapphires growing from his body showed that he'd added the Sapphire Dragon to his powers. It made sense; after being used so crudely he would want to ensure it could not happen again. Taking the psionic powers of a Sapphire dragon would help him protect his mind from future intrusions. 

Smiling, she looked at her latest acquisition.

"How are you feeling?" Tala asked, making the young woman blink, blue eyes coming back into focus.

"Strange," Galatea replied, making Tala nod.

"It is unsurprising. Your 'father' was a hack, and even now, you are linked to Supergirl with bonds even I could not untangle," Tala said, looking over her prize. Galatea was powerful and beautiful and had reasons to hate the Light. She would make a fine bride for her beloved. Of course, the clone's mind was made to be pliable, so a little magical encouragement helped turn her to Tala's cause. "It will fade, and I have removed the insurance they put in your body. They have no control over you anymore."

Galatea gave her a small, grateful smile in response, even as her fists clenched. With a little magical nudging, Galatea had happily crushed Emil's head like a grape, officially ending her partnership with the Light.

The Light and their puppets had cost her Io, so she had taken their pet Kryptonian in response. Making Galatea despise her creators wasn't hard, and it gave her a powerful ally for what was to come.